Firefighter Responds to Crash—And Finds His Wife Among the Victims
Portsmouth, VA – For veteran firefighter Mark Reynolds, answering emergency calls is part of the job—a job he’s done for over a decade. But nothing could have prepared him for the unimaginable: arriving at a crash scene and realizing one of the victims was his own wife.
It began as a typical Thursday shift at Station 17. The team received a report of a serious multi-car accident on the interstate, with possible entrapments and injuries. Reynolds, like always, suited up and climbed aboard the truck, unaware that this mission would change his life forever.
The Scene No First Responder Ever Wants to See
When Engine 17 reached the crash site, the situation was chaotic. Two vehicles had collided head-on, while a third had veered off and smashed into a guardrail. Reynolds and his crew jumped into action, assessing the damage and beginning rescue efforts.
As Reynolds approached one of the wrecked cars—flipped on its side—his heart stopped. Hanging from the rearview mirror was a necklace he immediately recognized: a silver heart pendant he had given his wife, Lisa, for their anniversary.
“I froze,” he later shared. “I just kept hoping I was wrong. But then I saw her hand… and I knew.”
Despite the emotional shock, Reynolds stayed on scene and assisted with the rescue, drawing on every ounce of strength he had. Lisa was still alive when emergency personnel arrived, and she was rushed to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident has shaken the entire fire department, reminding first responders everywhere of the deeply personal risks they take every time they answer the call.
As for Reynolds, he says he’s grateful Lisa survived and is now focused on her recovery. “You never expect the person you’re trying to save to be the one you love most,” he said.